No Man Is an Island

Publisher's Summary

No Man Is an Island is a collection of 16 essays in which Thomas Merton plumbs aspects of human spirituality. Merton treats the “basic verities on which the spiritual life depends”. Essay themes include hope, conscience, sacrifice, charity, sincerity, mercy, and silence. The work is threaded through with Merton’s deep awareness that we are all called to “live not for ourselves but for others”. The first essay, “Love Can Be Kept Only by Being Given Away”, is a spiritual classic.

What the Critics Say

"A stimulating series of spiritual reflections which will prove helpful for all struggling to find the meaning of human existence and to live the richest, fullest, and noblest life." (Chicago Tribune)"Merton wrote of ageless spiritual life and religious devotion with the knowledge of a modern." (The New York Times)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful

A Gem of a Book

I discovered Thomas Merton when I came upon Seeds of Contemplation while browsing in the stacks of a Library during the early years of my spiritual journey. He has been a spiritual companion and guide ever since. No Man is an Island is the sequel to Seeds of Contemplation. The titles of the reflections will give you a good taste of the content:
1. Love Can Only Be Kept By Being Given Away
2. Sentences On Hope
3. Conscience, Freedom and Prayer
4. Pure Intention
5. The Word of the Cross
6. Asceticism and Sacrifice
7. Being and Doing
8. Vocation
9. The Measure of Charity
10. Sincerity
11. Mercy
12. Recollection
13. My Soul Remembered God
14. The Wind Blows Where It Pleases
15. The Inward Solitude
16. Silence
These are quite simply some of the most profound spiritual reflections I have ever read by any author from any period of history. Sentences On Hope is the finest exposition of the true meaning of hope, a subject of special interest to me, that I have ever read. The Word of the Cross is a stunning exposition of the meaning and use of suffering. The final chapter, Silence, is rapturous (I use the word advisedly). These reflections can be read and re-read. The sheer weight of the insight contained warrants many readings and many returns. The book is a gem.

The narration is good.

I have long wished Audible would offer for books of serious spiritual literature, especially from the Catholic Tradition. They seem to be moving in that direction. Thanks, Audible, for making such a fine volume available.